Assemblymember O’Donnell Works to Buy Community Hospital More Time

Thursday, February 15, 2018

AB 2591 seeks to extend the date by which the hospital must meet seismic compliance

(SACRAMENTO) –Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D – Long Beach) introduced AB 2591 Thursday in an effort to keep Long Beach Community Hospital open. The bill seeks an extension for seismic compliance at the hospital. Assemblymember O’Donnell is working with the City of Long Beach on this bill in response to numerous pleas from the community calling for action.

“Community Hospital offers the only emergency room on the east side of the city,” Assemblymember O’Donnell said. “This is the first of many steps necessary to keep the hospital open. I look forward to working with community stakeholders to find a solution to this challenge. AB 2591 gives us more time to identify options to meet our community’s needs.”

Long Beach MemorialCare announced at the end of 2017 the intention to cease medical services at Community Hospital by June 30, 2019. There is an active earthquake fault line beneath part of the hospital, and the facility must be upgraded to meet seismic-safety requirements by 2020.

The bill now awaits referral to its first policy committee.

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Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell represents the 70th Assembly District, which includes Long Beach, Signal Hill, San Pedro and Catalina Island.